9 Years Later…

I can’t believe it’s been three years since updating this blog. As I had my ICL lenses removed due to cataract formation, I haven’t thought much about ICL, assuming that something better had come along and replaced it.

I’m not sure about non-ICL options available right now, but the same lens I got is still an option and Toric ICL (for astigmatism) was finally approved by the FDA eight months ago, which may explain why this blog is still getting traffic.

As I’ve said previously, assuming ICL caused my cataracts, I’d still do the procedure again based on the outcome I received. This experience was life-changing for me and, even though I had to get an additional procedure (PRK) for astigmatism, I’m glad I didn’t wait for the Toric lens to be approved.

I’ve had people ask me how much everything cost. If I remember correctly, the ICL was $8000 with another $1000 for the PRK touchup. The cataract removal, additional lens implants, another PRK procedure, and everything else was close to $10,000.

So I’m about $20,000 in on this.

Yes, it was worth it. I don’t know that anybody who didn’t start from where I was would understand that though. This wasn’t a “cosmetic surgery” to me – it was freedom. And freedom is priceless (and worth pursuing).

I had an eye exam two weeks ago and tested 20/20. Eye pressure is good. Retinas are good. Things are going well.

PRK Surgery (The Sequel)

Has my second PRK surgery today. For information on the original surgery, click here. Why am I having a second PRK surgery? That answer is here.

Having already been through the process on both my eyes previously, I wasn’t terribly concerned about the process. Even with the post-ICL issues, I’m still very confident in the surgeon and the quality of care I’ve had. I rolled the dice with ICLs, knowing cataracts were an issue, and I lost. But all of that can be fixed, so I’m looking at it as just another opportunity to have experiences that most people don’t get to have, at least not until they’re 70+ years old…

Wasn’t really worried about the procedure. Surgeon is probably doing 150-200 eyes per week, so he knows what he’s doing. With that said, it is surgery, there can be complications, and it’s being done on you, so there is always some concern, regardless of how experienced somebody is.

Got to the office. They did scans to double-check the measurements I’d had last month. Everything looked great.

Pre-surgery and surgery experience was pretty similar to what I had previously…

1. Put my hair in a net.
2. Took some kind of anti-inflammatory, a steroid, and a Valium.
3. Had some numbing drops.
4. Waited for about 20 minutes while other procedures were being done.
5. Walked into the operating room.
6. Got under a laser.
7. Doctor removed the epithelium. I think this was done by hand using a scalpel. Last time he used a thing like a rotary toothbrush.
8. Watched a blinking light as the laser pulsed. This took maybe a minute.
9.  Got a contact lens which acts like a bandage.

That’s it. Waited around for about 15 minutes, got information on post-op care, and was out of there.

More or less, it was painless. My eye was a little scratchy on the way home, I think due to dry air and irritation sunlight.

Took a three-hour nap and woke up feeling great.

PRK takes a few days to see results since epithelium is growing back and the eye is a bit swollen. Still, I can already tell there is an improvement.

Right now, very happy with the outcome and glad I did it. Even with the complications I’ve had due to a cataract in my left eye (highly-likely due to ICL implant), the entire process has still been worth it to me.

 

 

Cataract Surgery – Followup Exam #4

Yet another followup… This one was as much to talk about “touch up” options for my eye as much as anything since the correction from my cataract surgery was close, but not exact.

What is close? About -2.25 with 1.75 astigmatism.

Everything with the lens replacement looks good. Everything with ICL looks good.

Eye pressure was -13 in the (formerly) cataract eye and -16 in the ICL eye.

Visit consisted of four tests to take measurements needed for PRK, which is the correction option available to me. Same tests that you’d go through if you were getting PRK (or LASIK) the first time.

Asked the doctor about complications from getting PRK a second time. She told me, “Same as complications from getting it the first time.” In other words, no additional issues, but still some.

As of now, I’m doing PRK next month. Not the position I’d hoped for when I started this process almost six years ago, but not something I’m too concerned with.

My attitude is more or less, “This is the situation and this is one option to take care of it.” Sort of right there in the middle emotionally.

Cataract Surgery – Followup Exam #3

Had another followup today. Eye pressure for the eye I had worked on is 19, which is within normal range. The eye that still has the ICL is 16.

Everything looks good. Eye is healing well, Retina is good shape. Still nearsighted, but that can be corrected with glasses or a contact lens.

Or another surgery (PRK), of course.

Eye with ICL looks good. Everything normal there.

Going in for another followup appointment in about a month where I’ll also discuss PRK.

Before getting ICL (and PRK the first time), I always said that I wouldn’t have done either had my prescription not been so strong and I been so dependent on corrective lenses. Still feel this way, although being educated about PRK and having been through the procedure, I have more information to work with.

Not sure what I’m going to do at this point. I think sharp vision is great, but this one would hardly be the life-changing experience that I had when getting my initial ICL/PRK surgeries.

Cataract Surgery – Followup Exam #2

Had my second followup after cataract surgery today. My left eye (the one that had a cataract) feels great, but is still quite a bit nearsighted.

Eye pressure was -15 and -18.

Everything looks good.

Going back in about six weeks for another followup. At that point, will discuss further options for correction, including glasses and lasers.

Still on drops (Prolensa and Durezol) for another three weeks. Finishing up Ofloxacin today.

Cataract Surgery – Followup Exam #1

Had the first followup exam for my cataract surgery today.

Eye pressure was -16 and -17, so that’s good. Left eye (the one I had surgery on) was (and is) still dilated.

Vision is a bit blurry, possibly from the dilation, but also because the cornea is a bit swollen. Overall, everything is as it should be.

About the blurriness, it could be because surgeon was conservative with correction and left me a little nearsighted. This is because it’s easier to correct via a second procedure than if he overshot and I was left too farsighted.

On three different drops for the next week. Then two different drops for the three weeks after that.

No pain. Eye feels completely normal.

One thing I have noticed is how bright everything is. White is VERY white. The screen on my computer looks brighter/whiter too.

Have another followup next week.

Cataract Surgery

Today was the day. For the last three days, I’ve been using two different drops in my eyes to prepare, both anti-inflammatory. This morning, I also took something to dilate my eyes about an hour before I was scheduled to be at the surgery center.

Arrived at the surgery center this morning. Verified my info, including which eye was being operated on. I did this about 10 times before surgery, so if that’s ever been a concern, know that it’s just about impossible to make a mistake.

A bit more on that…

Somebody told me that today was “left eye day.” Everybody I talked to while waiting was getting their left eyes done. I also had a wrist band which said “left eye” and a mark on my forehead above my left eye.

I was the youngest person in the room by 30-40 years. Did the ICL cause this cataract? You decide.

First step was four measurements of my left eye. Each was done on a machine where you put your chin in a cup and look at a red light. You know the process — “Blink, hold it, hold it, ok blink, hlink, hold it, hold it, keep holding.”

Not sure what the difference between each machine was. Assuming these were all to make sure the implant going in was the correct measurement and correction.

The experience of getting cataract surgery was very similar to ICL surgery. There was a “pre-op” room where they asked me additional questions (like which eye was being operated on) and verified I was who I said I was. Stuck some things on my chest to meature heart, took my blood pressure, measured pulse/oxygen in blood (I think) via something put on my finger, put in an IV for anesthesia, and gave me something that tasted like cough syrup and was supposed to relax me.

Was lead to the surgery room by a nurse, put on a table, and introduced to the people there. They took my blood pressure and hooked me up to the monitors, The anesthesiologist and somebody else (assistant, I think) introduced themselves. They taped my head down as a reminder for me not to move it. Had a few drops put in my eye.

Surgeon walks in, says my name, and puts a cloth on me which keeps one eye open and the other covered. I heard him say something to the assistant about a tool to remove (or somehow manipulate) the ICL.

More or less, the rest of my experience was me looking at a light while he was doing whatever it was he was doing. From what I understand, that was:

1. Removing ICL
2. Breaking up cataract (natural lens) with sound.
3. Removing natural lens
4. Replacing natural lens with IOL

I think I was awake the entire time. Not especially distressing. One of those things where you know what’s happening. Kind of a “tugging” feeling. A little pressure, but not uncomfortable.

Was helped off the table and sent to a post-op room. A few minutes (maybe more) later I was helped into a wheelchair and taken to my car.

Patch still on. Feels a little scratchy, like you’ve got a piece of dirt in, but it’s not painful.

Followup (and patch removal) tomorrow.

Overall, a very smooth experience.

(Yet Another) Cataract Followup With Surgeon – Time For Surgery

Visited the surgeon who did my ICL/PRK to followup on the cataract in my left eye and get a general feel for what is happening.

Basic eye exam was good. Pressure was -17 and -18. Macula looks good. Cornea looks good.

Cataract is left eye not so good. After waiting a couple of years on this, it’s time to do something.

Scheduled surgery for next week. Starting drops to prepare for it in a couple of days.

ICL will be removed as well as my natural lens. Correction will from the implant that replaces the natural lens.

Will the correction be as good as it was with ICL? Not sure. He says about 50/50 shot at nailing it. They have ways of calculating all this, but the more nearsighted the eye, the greater the chance of being a bit off in the calculation.

End result may be something that requires PRK to touch up, a contact, or glasses.

Talked to him about risks. Correction was one of them. And like ICL, there are risks with infection and bleeding. Very low though. Around one in 15,000.

In and out of surgery center in about two hours. Procedure itself is about 10-12 minutes.

Annual Eye Exam – Another Cataract Update

Another year, another annual eye exam. For the backstory, here’s what happened in 2014.

First, an update on the cataract in my left eye. I asked the doctor what level it was and he said, “Three plus.” The scale tops out at four.

So it’s time to do something about this. Planning to see the eye surgeon within a couple of months, so I’ll likely make a move on it then. Of course, I thought that would have happened by now.

If you’re wondering what a cataract is like, the best way to describe it is that it’s like rubbing Vaseline over your eyes. Things aren’t as “edgy.” I’m also more nearsighted in that eye now.

No big news to report other than this. Retinas looks good. Pressure is -18 in each eye.

Cataract Followup Exam

Had another followup to my cataract situation today. This one was with the surgeon who performed both the ICL and PRK procedures.

I have a nuclear sclerotic cataract in my left eye. Risk factors for this include diabetes (which I don’t have) and high myopia (which I do have).

Symptoms of nuclear sclerotic cataracts:

• Myopic refractive shift which patients notice as an improvement in their near vision
• Decrease in distance vision, difficulty with night driving, monocular diplopia and loss of color discrimination ability

I am experiencing all of these things. To help with this, I’m back in glasses for now (night driving only) as surgeon suggested waiting six months to review the situation again. They’re not helping much though.

Everything in the left eye is blurry. Still, as somebody who started here, it’s nothing I haven’t already experienced before.

Other than the cataract, everything is pretty good.  Eye pressure was  -13 and -15. Vision in right eye was 20/20.

Left eye is about 20/400, but even though I could read the chart, it was blurry.

Talked to the surgeon about options. Said it’s easy to remove the ICL, remove the cataract, and insert a new lens that will correct my myopia.  Perhaps I misunderstood what he told me before about being able to leave the ICL in.

I feel good about it. Even with the current situation, my life is completely different than I was pre-ICL. And I may have been going through this anyway, since this type of cataract doesn’t appear to be ICL-related.